Mozambique is a country challenged by extreme poverty and poor infrastructure where only half of the population (14.8 million people) has access to clean water and three in four people are without a decent toilet.
Insufficient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) provision costs lives and over 2,500 children under 5 die every year from diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets. Women and girls are also particularly affected by poor access to water and sanitation.
In the Niassa province, a programme supported by United Purpose is working to de-centralise the provision of water, sanitation and health promotion services. The Governance and Transparency for Water, Sanitation and Health (GOTAS) programme works closely with strategic partners including the Provincial Assembly (AP) of Niassa.
The Forum of Women's Organizations of Niassa recently organised for members of the AP to visit the five programme target districts with a detailed report presented on funds received from GOTAS, its main achievements and equipment acquired with programme funds.
Members also took part in a field visit to see the infrastructure referred to in the reports and met with Community Water and Sanitation Committees (CAS) and the Local Advisory Council. They also spoke with staff and patients at a health centre in Lussanhando where the referred infrastructure is complete and in use. Members have agreed to highlight this to the Government in order to replicate the initiative at other health centres.
Renovations are also underway to improve water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in maternity hospitals and integrate sanitary blocks across the five districts. In general, members of the AP agree that the programme has improved water supply and sanitation, strengthened community participation and increased awareness within the community. Members recommend that the Government acts to accelerate the repair process to return water supply services to communities and makes it possible for them to greater control and engagement in the protection of their infrastructure.
Government oversight bodies, government service providers, civil society and local journalists are all engaged in collaborative dialogue to resolve issues and improve services over time in the Province of Niassa in a constructive approach.